Brumbies

Brumbies bring back big guns for Waratahs derby

Fresh off signing a new two-year extension at the club, Slipper returns at loosehead prop alongside Connal McInerney and skipper Allan Alaalatoa in the front row.

Murray Douglas and Cadeyrn Neville have formed a strong partnership in the second row and will get another chance to combine on Sunday.

McKellar has named an unchanged backrow for the fourth consecutive week with Rob Valetini and Will Miller the flankers and Pete Samu at no.8.

Brumbies beat Chiefs for the first time since 2007

Coming into Saturday night's match, the Chiefs were unbeaten in the 2020 season, while the Brumbies were coming off a narrow 23-22 loss to the Highlanders at home the week before.

That last minute loss may have spurred the Brumbies on in Hamilton, as it was the visitors who came out firing from the first whistle.

Fullback Tom Banks was the first to score for the Brumbies off a set piece move inside the Chiefs 22.

Alaalatoa takes over Brumbies captaincy

Alaalatoa will take the reins from Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano, who both moved overseas at the end of the 2019 season.

The 24-year-old was widely considered to be one of the frontrunners for the position, having been a mainstay of the leadership group in recent seasons and one of the most consistent on-field performers.

Alaalatoa has set a strong example away from rugby as well, with his work pursuing a criminology degree and his on-field form earning him the 2019 RUPA Medal for Excellence.

Humility the touchstone for Pasitoa as rugby dream begins with the Brumbies

He thinks.

If he’s being honest, Pasitoa doesn't know the detail because there was never a decision to be made between the two. He had never planned to go.

That’s what happens when you’re signed by a Super Rugby franchise while still in year 11 and have been eyeing off the slow arrival of your dream for a year.

"Week one of pre-season for me was, I believe, the week of schoolies for Queensland students,” Pasitoa said.

"But that’s cool, I would much rather be doing what I am doing. I am very grateful for the opportunity here.”

Brumbies forced to move training over 400km away from team base due to air conditions from bushfires

The franchise's facilities at the University of Canberra have been closed indefinitely as the bushfires devastating Australia cast a smoky pall over the nation's capital.

Some air quality stations in Canberra have been returning readings nearly three times above extremely hazardous levels.

With players set to return to training on Monday, ahead of round one in less than four weeks, the Brumbies said the air quality had become a player welfare issue.

Brumbies flip the switch with 2020 away jersey

While their regular jersey is almost identical to that of 2019 they revealed a new-look yellow alternate kit that is a  far cry from last year's mainly blue strip.

The Brumbies wore a yellow jersey back in 2016 but have opted for predominantly blue away jerseys since then.

Next season's away kit is a dark gold with textured amber stripes across the main panel, with navy sleeves and side panels.

This year's return to yellow was in response to positive feedback over the look of the kit that the Brumbies reserves side, Brumbies Runners, wore in matches in 2019.

Pollard signs for Brumbies

Pollard will join the Brumbies Academy Development Programme for 2020, including pre-season training time with the Plus500 Brumbies, alongside other Brumbies development players.

Pollard, who had attracted the attention of several high-profile NRL clubs throughout his formative career, has chosen rugby union after a series of strong performances, culminating in a standout display for the young Wallabies in their win over New Zealand.

Brumbies ready to fly Australian flag in Super Rugby finals

The Brumbies are the only Australian team through to the Super Rugby finals despite a more competitive showing across the Australian conference this season.

Winning the Australian conference secured them a home quarter-final, to be played next Saturday against the Sharks, who won their final match in the 81st minute on Sunday morning.

McKellar said there was a feeling that the Brumbies had an opportunity to generate some optimism around rugby in the playoffs.

“I do think there's a sense that we're representing the country,” he said.

Wallabies star Sio re-signs until 2022

Sio, 27, has made 55 Test appearances for Australia since his debut in 2013, a year after he played his first game for the Brumbies.

He will remain in Australia and with the Brumbies until at least the end of 2022 after his new deal was announced on Wednesday.

"I'm super excited to re-sign. I've obviously been at the club for a long time and I've seen a lot of what we're trying to grow," Sio said in a statement.

Laumape hat-trick fuels Hurricanes to win over Brumbies

Hurricanes captain Dane Coles also crossed twice while James Blackwell scored after the final hooter for the home side, who were given no ball or space last week by the Crusaders, but were at their dynamic best as they played at pace and attacked from anywhere on the field.

Hooker Folau Fainga'a and Tom Wright crossed for the Brumbies, who showed signs of the play that destroyed the Waikato Chiefs 54-17 last week but were forced to chase the Hurricanes in the second half.